Police ID man struck, killed by car in Fitchburg

Saturday

Dec 8, 2012 at 6:00 AMDec 8, 2012 at 8:40 PM

By Craig S. Semon TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

An 84-year-old man was killed and his 67-year-old female companion hospitalized after they were hit by a car while crossing Westminster Street (Routes 2A and 31) last night. Timothy J. Connolly, a spokesman for District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., identified the man as James Aho of 36 East Gardner Road, Westminster, and the woman as MaryAnn LeBlanc of 41 Oakmont Ave., Westminster.

Police Lt. Kevin O'Brien said the couple were crossing the street after having dinner when they were hit by a car.

“They were having supper at Barb's Café. They came out of Barb's. They were crossing the street. They were almost across the street and then they got hit,” Lt. O'Brien said, “The fellow was on the outside, the female on the inside. He got hit first.”

The accident happened around 6 p.m. in front of 131 Westminster St. near Simonds Road. The car stopped, Lt. O'Brien said. Mr. Connolly identified the driver of the car as Debra L. Dunn, 74, of 23 Vernon St., Fitchburg.

Mr. Aho died at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus, Worcester, where Ms. LeBlanc was still in surgery late last night, according to Lt. O'Brien.

Employees and customers at the restaurant said this morning that the heavily traveled section of two-lane road where the accident occurred is hazardous to people trying to cross. It is posted for 25 mile per hour, but they said drivers do not stick to the limit.

“They come around the corner at 50 miles per hour,” said customer Trudy Postale of Fitchburg.

Ms. Postale said she was almost hit a few months ago as she stepped off the curb to cross the road.

“I cross here all the time,” she said. “I now realize how fast it is,” she said.

Employees said the danger is increased by poor street lighting.

“There are two lights out,” employee Mary Beth Saro said, indicating with her hands that the lights that are out are on either side of the restaurant